Tragic Loss: Celebrated Russian Skaters Among Victims of Plane Crash

The Skating Club of Boston confirms the deaths of former world champions Yevgeniya Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, alongside 14 others, in a plane crash occurred after a collision with a military helicopter while returning from the U.S. Figure Skating national championships.

Two celebrated Russian figure skaters, Yevgeniya Shishkova, 52, and Vadim Naumov, 55, tragically lost their lives when an American Airlines jet collided with a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. The incident, which occurred on January 30, 2025, has not only shocked the figure skating world but has also left a significant void in the local community, especially within the Skating Club of Boston, where the couple served as coaches.

The couple, who were married in 1995 in St. Petersburg, Russia, were rising stars in the world of figure skating during the 1990s. They achieved remarkable success, winning the world championship in 1994 and competing in the Winter Olympics in both 1992 and 1994. After retirement from competitive skating, Shishkova and Naumov moved to the United States in 1998, seeking new opportunities in a post-Soviet Russia grappling with economic challenges.

Their journey took them to Simsbury, Connecticut, where they became prominent figures in local skating programs, eventually joining the Skating Club of Boston in 2017. Their dedication to coaching was evident; they strived to create a nurturing environment for their students. However, they also encountered challenges, particularly in the competitive landscape of American figure skating, where parents often demanded quick results.

The plane crash not only took the lives of the two skating stars but also claimed the lives of 14 others returning from a national development camp in Wichita, Kansas, which included skaters and coaches. As friends and fans mourn the loss, the skating community faces the sobering reality of the profound impact this tragedy will have for years to come, as it mourns the loss of two champions who brought joy and inspiration to so many.